CRG, ICIQ, ICN2,ICFO, IFAE and IRB Barcelona come together in this new institution. The Barcelona Institute emerges as one of the leading scientific institutes in Europe, ranking fourth in the number of ERC grants awarded per volume of researchers. ts Board of Trustees is formed by non-profits and renowned international scientists including Profs. Rolf Tarrach (Chair), Joan Massagué, and Ignacio Cirac, among others. The Barcelona Institute will promote joint research strategies, transfer of technology, and graduate programs.

It has been made with three dimensional models of the ear cavities by an international team with the participation of one researcher from IPHES. The study concludes that early hominids had a hearing similar to chimpanzees, but with differences that already closer to modern human. The impact of the previous study about the acoustic capabilities of the preneandertals at Atapuerca has allowed the realization of this research in Australopithecus and Paranthropus.

This investigation was conducted as part of the PREDIMED study which was designed to examine the impact of consuming a Mediterranean-style diet on prevention of cardiovascular disease. A total of 1868 men and women between 55 and 80 years of age were followed for a median of 3 years during which time dietary analyses were conducted and clinical assessments evaluated.

The collaboration between the groups of Prof. Pau Ballester at ICIQ and Prof. Eduard Llobet at URV has allowed the development of a sensor highly selective for benzene in air with a lower limit of detection to the extent permitted by law. The work has been published in Advanced Functional Materials and selected for the back cover.